Very comfortable, good fitting and warm three-quarter length shorts

Price: £59

What they say: The seamless circular knit technology used in this range means that these pieces are precision built to fit your body, just like your own skin. They provide a snug fit that will go virtually unnoticed as you wear it.

What it is: You’ve got to keep wrapped up and warm when it’s as cold as it is at the moment, and providing plenty of insulation for your legs are these howies men’s bib sh34rts. They’re like regular bib shorts but they extend below the knee, to keep your hard-working knees from feeling the freeze.

They’re made using a seamless circular knit design. They’re not entirely free of seams, but there are very few seams compared to most other shorts. That makes them very comfortable, they fit like a second-skin, but not tight, the fabric is very stretchy. The fabric is also luxuriously soft next to your skin, with no irritation, and provides a good amount of warmth for the coldest days.

Nestled inside the shorts is an Italian made two-layer padded insert. It’s a variable thickness design, which essentially means it’s thicker where you place more weight on the saddle, and thinner where there’s less body contact with the saddle, so it’s comfortable without feeling bulky. It works well, short blasts and all-day rides were dealt a high degree of comfort.

Construction is first class, with tough flatlock stitching providing good durability and the fabric does a good job of drying quickly, handy if you encounter some rain. Worn on their own, or under a pair of baggy shorts, they provide supreme comfort and protect your knees from the chill. The fit is good, and you can wear a pair of knee pads over the top quite happily.

Who it’s good for: The howies shorts are really nice, well made and the fit is excellent. They provide good warmth for cold winter mountain bike rides and the padded insert will keep you comfortable on the saddle. They’re well priced too.

Contact: www.howies.co.uk